A VULNERABLE family who were placed in inaccessible accommodation following a water leak at their home have been rehoused.

Ali Gibb, 33, Chris Norton, 42 and their three-year-old daughter were forced to leave their home in Kite Place in Findon Road, Brighton after their ceiling collapsed on December 23, 2020.

The family were placed in temporary housing in Eastbourne by Brighton and Hove City Council. However Ali, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, said the accommodation did not meet their accessibility needs.

After The Argus contacted the council, the family were moved to a ground floor flat at Brighton Marina.

Ali said she was pleased to be in a “warm and safe” environment close to her support network and personal assistant in Brighton, while repairs to her home are being made.

She said: “In Eastbourne it just felt like we were treading water and waiting to get back to Brighton.

“We feel here that we can go about living our daily lives knowing that we are close to our support network and even close to the cats in our flat.

The Argus: Ali said that their new accommodation in Brighton was more accessible for her wheelchair.Ali said that their new accommodation in Brighton was more accessible for her wheelchair.

“Just being able to look outside and recognise our surroundings is really comforting. It’s spacious enough for my wheelchair and I can manoeuvre around.

“It’s difficult for families who suddenly find themselves uprooted, it’s a very stressful experience, especially with a little one.”

Ali is considered clinically extremely vulnerable to coronavirus because of her disability.

She told The Argus that she had become increasingly concerned for her family’s health and safety as coronavirus cases began to soar in the county.

But Ali said that she feels more comfortable to begin shielding again in the new property.

She said: “I know there are lots of people that are being very careful about the virus, but just because you’re shielding doesn’t automatically mean that you are void of any risk.

“Just knowing that we are close to a hospital that we know should we need it and close to friends is very comforting.”

In a statement, Brighton and Hove City Council said that they were sorry for any “inconvenience” the family experienced.

A council spokesman said: “We expect the repairs to take around six weeks and will keep in touch with Ms Gibbs regularly.”